Tag: bhopal

In a shocking case of medical fraud, Madhya Pradesh Police have registered a case against a man who allegedly posed as a British-trained cardiologist and caused the deaths of seven patients at a missionary hospital in Damoh. The accused, who went by the name Dr Narendra John Camm, is suspected to be Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, and is believed to have impersonated renowned UK-based cardiologist Professor John Camm. Impersonation and Unauthorised Surgeries According to officials, the accused conducted unauthorised angiographies and angioplasties without valid credentials at the Mission Hospital. A First Information Report (FIR) was filed late Sunday based on a complaint by Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) MK Jain, who stated that the individual lacked registration with the Madhya Pradesh Medical Council (MPMC). The FIR also noted discrepancies in the documents presented by the hospital, which claimed that the accused was registered with the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council. However, no such record existed on the official portal. Sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Invoked The police have invoked multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 315(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2), and 3(5) — all related to fraud, forgery, misappropriation, and criminal conspiracy. Investigators revealed that the accused fabricated documents and used the identity of the real Prof. John Camm to deceive both patients and hospital authorities. Hospital Manager Also Under Scanner The hospital’s management has come under intense scrutiny. The manager of the Mission Hospital is being investigated for presenting unverified degree certificates and registration documents without proper authentication from any recognised medical body. NHRC Team to Probe Deaths and Ayushman Bharat Misuse Amid public outrage, a team from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), led by member Priyank Kanoongo, has begun an on-ground probe in Damoh from April 7 to 9. The NHRC team will investigate the circumstances around the seven patient deaths, as well as the misuse of funds under the Ayushman Bharat health scheme. “This case involves grave human rights violations and potential systemic negligence,” Kanoongo posted on social media platform X, urging families of victims and others with information to meet the team during their visit. Hospital Tenure and Death Timeline Under Lens Sources revealed that the impersonator had worked in the cardiology department from January to February 2025, during which multiple deaths occurred, reportedly due to incorrect or unsafe cardiac procedures. The Damoh District Collector Sudhir Kochar confirmed that a formal complaint had been received and investigations into the role of hospital management in shielding the fake doctor were ongoing. This disturbing incident has raised serious concerns over hospital accountability, patient safety, and verification mechanisms in India’s healthcare system.

With Parliament passing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill with comfortable majorities in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, significant changes are expected in the governance and regulation of Waqf properties across India. Data from the Ministry of Minority Affairs reveals that out of the 8.8 lakh Waqf assets spread across 30 states and Union Territories, over 73,000 are currently under dispute and could be directly affected by the new legal provisions. A Waqf is a piece of personal property voluntarily dedicated by a Muslim for a specific religious, charitable, or sometimes private purpose. Though the beneficiaries may vary, the ownership is considered to be vested with God. The Waqf Assets Management System of India (WAMSI) database, maintained by the central government, records details of all Waqf properties, including their type, management, and status. According to WAMSI, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of Waqf assets at 2.4 lakh, managed across both Sunni and Shia boards. It is followed by West Bengal (80,480), Punjab (75,511), Tamil Nadu (66,092), and Karnataka (65,242). Bihar is the only other state besides UP that has separate Waqf boards for Sunni and Shia communities; other states operate with unified boards. Of the total 8.8 lakh Waqf properties, around 6.2 lakh fall under five major categories: graveyards, agricultural land, mosques, shops, and houses. Notably, graveyards alone constitute 17.3%, while agricultural land and mosques account for 16% and 14%, respectively. Amid opposition criticism, the NDA government had referred the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, which accepted 14 amendments proposed by NDA MPs while rejecting all 44 suggestions from the Opposition. The final Bill redefines how Waqf properties are to be administered, including changing the composition of state Waqf boards and enhancing the state government’s role in dispute resolution. Disputed Waqf properties are classified under three main categories: encroached, under litigation, and alienated. Litigation can be external (civil suits involving individuals) or internal (disputes within the Waqf Board). Alienated properties are those involved in illegal transfers and are subject to civil suits, while encroached properties refer to those allegedly built on government land. These disputes, under the new Bill, may be resolved by a tribunal comprising a District Judge and a state government officer of Joint Secretary rank. One of the most high-profile Waqf disputes in India’s history was over the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, demolished in 1992. The case was heard across various judicial levels before the Supreme Court delivered its verdict in 2019, allowing for the construction of the Ram Temple at the site. Among the states, Punjab, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh report the highest number of disputed Waqf properties. Punjab has the highest proportion of encroached properties, with 56.5% of its 75,511 assets under encroachment. In comparison, UP, despite having the most Waqf properties, has just 3,044 under dispute, while West Bengal reports 3,742 disputed properties, placing it second in volume.

Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a significant decline in student enrolment in government schools between 2016-17 and 2023-24, despite a substantial increase in the school education budget. Congress state unit chief Jitu Patwari recently raised this alarming issue, pointing out that the number of students enrolled in government schools has dropped by a staggering 12,23,384 over this period. Expressing his concerns, Patwari highlighted that the sharpest decline was observed at the primary and middle school levels. Primary classes saw a reduction of 6,35,434 students, while middle classes lost 4,83,171 students. The enrolment in high and higher secondary classes also dipped by 1,04,479 students. This drastic decline comes at a time when the state government is making lofty claims of elevating the education system to global standards. Adding to the paradox, Patwari noted that the school education budget witnessed an 80 percent rise during the same period. In 2016-17, the budget was Rs 16,226.08 crore, which surged to Rs 29,468.03 crore in 2023-24. This substantial increase aimed to enhance the quality of education and infrastructure in government schools. Despite the financial boost, the enrolment numbers tell a different story, raising questions about the effectiveness of budget utilization. The average expenditure per student has also witnessed a sharp rise. In 2016-17, the government spent Rs 16,672 per student, which increased to Rs 34,631 in 2023-24. The state also invested heavily in providing free books to students from classes 1 to 8, costing Rs 317.48 crore. Additionally, the midday meal scheme, which benefited 264.43 crore children during this period, cost the state exchequer Rs 8,038.92 crore. Criticizing the government’s approach, Patwari stated that while bureaucrats have been undertaking foreign tours to study advanced education models, such as the South Korean model, the ground reality remains grim. He emphasized that instead of indulging in “fake publicity,” the state needed to focus on delivering tangible results and ensuring quality education in government schools. Addressing Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on the social media platform ‘X’, Patwari stressed the importance of public funds being utilized for the greater good. He remarked that Madhya Pradesh, which is increasingly sinking into a debt trap, urgently needs practical and effective measures to revitalize its education sector rather than superficial promotional strategies.